November 19, 2020
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An edition of the Littleton Independent A publication of
VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 49
Bruins romp to league title Cherry Creek will open the football playoffs as the top seed BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Cherry Creek quickly took any drama out of the Nov. 14 Centennial League showdown against Eaglecrest. The Bruins, the defending Class 5A state champions and top-ranked team in the CHSAANow.com poll, scored early and often to overpower No. 5 Eaglecreast, 50-0, to win the league championship on a cold, windy afternoon at Legacy Stadium in Aurora. Running back James Walker II, a 5-10, 180 pound senior, led the Bruins’ offensive attack that raced to a 29-0 lead after the first quarter, led 36-0 at halftime and got the mercy-rule running clock going in the fourth quarter of a game that was the regular season finale for both teams. Defensively, the Bruins shutout an Eaglecrest team that came into the title contest averaging 45.6 points per game during an abbreviated season that has been characterized by COVID-19 concerns. Cherry Creek improved its record to 6-0 while Eaglecrest lost its first game in five outings. “The conditions were brutal for both teams,” said Cherry Creek coach Dave Logan. “I think both teams had to throw out about 75% of their offensive game plan. I was proud of the effort our kids gave, the execution was something. Under these conditions, I would guess these kids have never played a game in similar conditions. “These kids on our team, on the Eaglecrest team, on every team have been through a lot this year. I’m just happy that we’ve been sort of able to naviagate though it all and the high school seniors were able to have a SEE BRUINS, P20
Schools switch to remote learning Staffing shortage becoming unmanageable in LPS, announcement says BY DAVID GILBERT DGILBERT@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Littleton Public Schools switched to all-online learning Nov. 17, continuing through the rest of the fall semester, in the face of climbing COVID-19 numbers, the district announced on Nov. 11. The district has been struggling to keep up with compounding impacts from the pandemic, according to an announcement from Superintendent Brian Ewert. The district has had about 140 positive COVID-19 cases among students and staff since in-person learning resumed on Aug. 24, triggering at least 90 targeted quarantines. Though Ewert told Colorado Community Media on Nov. 5 he planned to keep the district in-person as long as possible, the announcement says the district reached “the tipping point in the system where in-person learning is no longer feasible.” Case numbers are growing so rapidly that the Tri-County Health Department can’t keep up with contact SEE REMOTE, P7
INSIDE James Walker II (5) rushed for four TDs of 7, 31, 24 and 14 yards to help topranked Cherry Creek overpower No. 5 Eaglecrest, 59-0, in a game that decided the Centennial League championship. PHOTO BY JIM BENTON
Arapahoe County has been placed under tighter restrictions as COVID-19 cases surge. Turn to page 2 for coverage.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 20
STUDIO QUALITY Options abound for those looking to record music, podcasts, poetry and more P14